North Yorkshire Police operation tackling dangerous drivers returns to the county's main roads

A man who took both hands off the wheel to use his phone was just one of the dangerous drivers dealt with by North Yorkshire Police as part of a road safety initiative that returns this week.
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Officers will be patrolling the county's main routes in an HGV cab during Operation Tramline.

They say the elevated ride height gives them a better view of all drivers to help police detect mobile phone use and other dangerous behaviour.

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As well as the man who took both hands off the wheel to use his phone, last year's operation saw police spotting a tractor driver on the motorway, driving while using a mobile phone and with alcohol in his system from the previous night's drinking.

Traffic Constable Mark Patterson, of North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group.Traffic Constable Mark Patterson, of North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group.
Traffic Constable Mark Patterson, of North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group.

Officers also stopped a European-registered HGV with extensive crash damage which the driver was intending on driving to Dover, and a disqualified driver driving an overweight van and trailer and using his phone at the same time.

Traffic Constable Mark Patterson, of North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group, said: “In my time as a traffic officer, I’ve seen crashes where people have died or suffered life-changing injuries just because a motorist got distracted.

“All drivers on our roads know using a mobile phone while driving is wrong.

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"But nobody thinks they’ll be the driver that causes one of those incidents.

A driver who has taken both hands off the wheel was among the drivers stopped during the North Yorkshire Police operation last year.A driver who has taken both hands off the wheel was among the drivers stopped during the North Yorkshire Police operation last year.
A driver who has taken both hands off the wheel was among the drivers stopped during the North Yorkshire Police operation last year.

“Catching those offences as they happen, then using enforcement and education is one way we can make our roads safer for everyone.

“Using Highways England’s HGV cab during Op Tramline is an excellent way to do that, as it gives us an unparalleled vantage point.”

If officers in the lorry see an offence taking place, it is recorded by the passenger.

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Marked units then pull the vehicle over so the driver can be dealt with immediately.

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